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New questions were raised Tuesday, May 15, about the time it takes Los Angeles Firefighters and Paramedics to do their jobs. Statistics expert Jeff Godown says software problems and human error make it hard to calculate correct response times. Gordon Tokumatsu reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on May 15, 2012. (Published Tuesday, May 15, 2012)

Response times for the Los Angeles Fire Department have been in the spotlight, but officials said Tuesday that calculating exact numbers is an inexact science.

"If we can't get the response times right, we're going to have issues, as far as credibility," said newly-appointed statistics expert Jeff Godown, speaking to the Los Angeles Fire Commission on Tuesday.

Godown said two software platforms used to crunch response numbers are flawed. While the problem doesn't mean earlier reports showing slow LAFD response times is wrong, it doesn't mean it's right, either.

Fire Chief Brian Cummings' prior statement that, "Our response times are probably some of the best in the country," could be wrong, as well.